Baba Takashi serves as the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines, overseeing one of Japan’s most significant and longstanding development partnerships in Southeast Asia. As Japan and the Philippines mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, JICA continues to play a central role in supporting the country’s infrastructure, disaster resilience, regional development, and human resource initiatives.

Under Baba’s leadership, JICA Philippines continues to expand cooperation across transport, climate resilience, peacebuilding, and digital transformation, while strengthening people-to-people ties between both nations. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine Philippines, Baba reflects on the evolving role of JICA, the future of Japan–Philippines cooperation, and the shared priorities shaping the next chapter of the bilateral relationship.

Bridges: Looking back over seven decades of Japan-Philippines relations, how has JICA’s role in the Philippines evolved, and which milestones best reflect the depth and maturity of this partnership today?

Takashi: In 2026, Japan and the Philippines celebrate 70 years of friendship, built on peace, prosperity, and shared possibilities. As the partnership between Japan and the Philippines has evolved from post-war reconstruction to comprehensive national development, JICA has responded to the country’s changing needs through a range of Official Development Assistance (ODA) modalities including ODA loans, private sector financing, grant aids, technical cooperation, Japan Disaster Relief (JDR), grassroot projects with non-government organization, and the deployment of Japanese volunteers in communities.

Our cooperation strengthens linkages between regions and communities, unlocking local potential and promoting inclusive and sustainable development. This is greatly reflected in the expansive portfolio of JICA projects in the Philippines spanning infrastructure in transport, energy, environment, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction, expanding private equity investments and engagements, and strengthening human resource development and peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro region.

Our priority in the Philippines remain in building pathways for a sustainable economic growth. With JICA’s flagship projects on the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project and our investment and engagement for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, we believe a modern railway network will transform mobility and strengthen connectivity across the country’s most dense city. Our work also focuses on improving access to increase local opportunities and drive development, as seen in initiatives such as the Davao City Bypass Construction Project and the Road Network Development Project in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Such efforts are complemented by our support for key gateways like airports and ports, further enhancing movement of people and goods.

Drawing on Japan’s extensive experience as a disaster-prone nation, JICA’s initiatives prioritize increased pre-disaster investment, improved disaster risk governance across all levels of government, and recovery and reconstruction efforts that rebuild safer, more resilient society based on the concept of “build back better”. Through comprehensive initiatives such as the enhancement of the Pasig–Marikina River Flood Control Master Plan, the construction of the Manggahan Floodway and Rosario Weir, and the Pasig–Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, JICA has supported efforts to reduce flood risks and strengthen climate resilience in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

We further refine our programs to align to Philippines’ development priorities and, at the heart of this approach, lies sustained dialogue and trust-building. This was recently demonstrated by the deployment of the JDR team at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill Fire Incident, underscoring the strength of the Philippines–Japan partnership and the mutual trust that is grounded in readiness, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

Our people-to-people cooperation seeks to encourage active citizen participation in nation-building by providing Filipino public servants with opportunities to engage in knowledge co-creation programs and scholarship initiatives in Japan. To date, we have supported 44,000 Filipino trainees and scholars. We also recognize the significant presence and contributions of over 1,700 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in the Philippines, whose work with local institutions has helped translate shared development goals into meaningful action on the ground.

Advancing peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains a core pillar in JICA’s cooperation in the country. Guided by the principle under Human Security, communities should meaningfully share in the dividends of peace, we have applied a long-term, systems-focused approach to help strengthen institutions, improve community services and build conditions for stability. Through initiatives such as the construction of farm-to-market roads, expanded access to quality healthcare, and strengthened human and institutional capacity in the region, these efforts seek to improve everyday lives and create lasting opportunities. JICA remains committed to the Bangsamoro people as they advance toward stable self-governance and inclusive, sustained socio-economic development, grounded in a culture of peace.

As the Philippines marks both the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Japan and its leadership role in the ASEAN region, how is JICA aligning its priorities to support inclusive growth, resilience, and regional cooperation?

Supporting the Philippines chairmanship of the ASEAN, we recognize the country’s strategic role in advancing regional connectivity, economic competitiveness, resilience, and inclusive growth. JICA’s engagement supports this role through continuous cooperation that aligns national development priorities with broader ASEAN objectives.

JICA’s work includes strengthening economic foundations through investments in transport systems, logistics networks, and urban infrastructure. These efforts aim to improve productivity and facilitate the Philippines’ integration into regional supply chains, contributing to ASEAN economic connectivity.

Enhancing resilience addresses the shared regional risks from climate change and disasters. JICA supports flood management, climate action, and disaster risk reduction to protect communities, infrastructure, and economic activity. In 2020, our cooperation expanded to include loan and grant agreements for COVID-19 response projects, addressing urgent health and economic needs during a regional crisis. Ongoing collaboration with the Philippine Climate Change Commission also supports implementation of the ASEAN–Japan Climate Change Action Agenda 2.0, advancing regional efforts toward a decarbonized and climate-resilient society. More recently, Japan and the Philippines have been strengthening cooperation towards the realization of the Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC), with a shared focus on advancing economic and energy resilience under the AZEC Framework. Through the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia), Japan have expressed to ASEAN Member-States that it will provide emergency response measures and medium to long-term solutions aimed at addressing fuel supply shortages and supply-chain disruptions in Asia.

We continuously pursue inclusive development, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected areas. Support for social services and livelihoods in these regions recognizes that reducing disparities and strengthening local stability are essential not only to national development, but also to long-term peace and security across ASEAN.

JICA continues to serve as a trusted partner and committed to supporting the Philippines’ national agenda, and their active role in shaping a stronger regional cooperation in the ASEAN.

JICA is known for combining infrastructure development with human capital and institutional support. How has this integrated approach shaped long-term impact in the Philippines?

JICA’s cooperation in the Philippines has always been guided by the vision of “leading the world with trust” and its mission to advance human security and quality growth. Combining infrastructure development with institutional strengthening and human resource development. This holistic approach is rooted in long-term engagement, knowledge exchange, and respect for local ownership.

We recognize the interconnected nature of development and as such we have continuously emphasized that cooperation is not only a financing mechanism but also a driver of system-wide improvements. Such as in major infrastructure projects, technical cooperation projects are also implemented to ensure the sustainability of newly constructed infrastructure. Filipino engineers and public officials work closely with Japanese counterparts, gaining practical knowledge that strengthens local capacity to operate and maintain complex systems.

Human resource development remains central to this partnership. Through training programs, scholarships, and professional exchanges, Filipino professionals gain new skills and insights that they bring back to their institutions and communities.

People-to-people initiatives further deepen this cooperation. Through programs such as the JOCV, Japanese volunteers work alongside Filipino communities in areas such as education, agriculture, and health. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan’s first volunteer dispatch to the Philippines. Since then, more than 1,700 Japanese volunteers have worked alongside communities across the country.

Together, these efforts support the Sustainable Development Goals across the pillars of People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace, while helping build more resilient societies and a brighter shared future.

Looking ahead to the next chapter of Japan-Philippines relations, what new areas of cooperation does JICA see as most critical?

As the Philippines progresses toward upper middle-income status, development cooperation will also evolve to address more complex economic, social, and environmental challenges. There is a need for sustained coordination among public and private partners, here in the Philippines and from Japan, to align support with national priorities and ensure that resources are deployed where they are most needed. Strong multi-stakeholder partnerships have been critical in delivering sustainable, inclusive, and impactful progress.

Such is our involvement in JICA’s first equity investment in the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), where we gained a direct role for operation and maintenance of Light Rail Transit Line 1 in partnership with Japanese private companies known for their passenger-focused expertise and transit-oriented development (TOD). This partnership reflects the power of co-creation where public and private partners jointly shape solutions to address immediate service needs.

We also see that digital transformation is shaping new opportunities and challenges. With the rise of use of artificial intelligence (A.I), strengthening areas such as cybersecurity, digital governance, and data management will be important as public services, financial systems, and infrastructure operations become increasingly technology driven. As technology becomes more embedded across sectors, JICA’s engagement will continue to support projects grounded in robust digital infrastructure and smart technologies that enable secure and effective operations.

JICA continues to strengthen cooperation with the private sector, civil society, and development partners to mobilize innovation, technology, and investment in support of sustainable development. For example, through JICA’s Public-Private Partnership Promotion Program, Spectee Pro has been made available to Philippine partners, enabling government agencies to enhance disaster information collection and response through AI-powered, real-time systems. The technology developed by Spectee Inc., a Japanese private company focusing on innovative DRRM technology, helps government offices and communities to rapidly collect, process, and communicate pertinent information in times of disasters.

Through sustained collaboration across public and private actors, supporting innovation and digital transformation, and advancing shared solutions through partnership, JICA seeks to ensure that development cooperation remains responsive, future-ready, and aligned with national priorities. We continue to contribute to resilient systems, improved services, and inclusive growth that deliver lasting value for the Philippines and for the broader partnership with Japan.